Chamber Celebrates Birthday, Kicks Off Centennial Celebration

February 14, 2013 marked the Chamber’s 100th Birthday and the kickoff of the yearlong centennial celebration that will culminate with the Chamber’s 100th Annual Meeting on November 20th at the Conference Center at Massasoit in Brockton.

This chamber has a long, proud history and its leadership performance and good influence began back in the 1880’s when it was known as the Brockton Board of Trade. It was during this time that Thomas Edison constructed his three phase underground electric utility in Brockton that would go on to serve as a developmental model for thousands of village and city centers throughout the world. The building that Edison opened as a power plant in 1883 is now home to the Metro South Chamber of Commerce today.

In 1916, President Calvin Coolidge spoke to this Chamber. “It may be of little importance to determine at any time just where we are, but it is of the utmost importance to determine wither we are going. (So,) set the course aright.” He went on to say, “I have intended to indicate not only that commerce is an instrument of great power, but that commercial development is necessary to all human progress… We ought to demand economic justice, but most of all because it is justice…Let us look at the service rather than the reward.”

President Coolidge spoke to this chamber of the empowerment gained by the individual when prosperity was pursued and present within a democracy. He also spoke of the cultural and educational enrichment that resulted within civic life when prosperity was encouraged and allowed to flourish. Many of these same principles were in the hearts and minds of our thirteen founders and written into our articles of incorporation. Later, they appear in our by-laws and mission statement. As a result, the service and leadership this chamber continues to provide on issues big and small is extremely valuable to the future of the Metro South region. We ask you to recommit yourself to your chamber involvement and spread the word that this chamber is part of the solution to some of the biggest challenges facing our region in the years to come.

Visit the Chamber’s Flickr page to see photos from the Chamber’s 100th Birthday Celebration on February 14, 2013 at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton.